“Let us pray for peace, joy, and love. We are reminded that Jesus came to bring the good news — “My peace I leave with you, my peace I give you.” He came not to give the peace of the world which is only that we do not harm each other. He came to give the peace of heart which comes from loving — from doing good to others.” Saint Teresa of Calcutta
Our hearts are saddened by the death of Legacy Change Agent Ashley Dawn Rhodes on February 15th. She was the oldest daughter of Mr. Dock and Dr. Stephanie Rhodes of Morton. Memorial services are incomplete. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Forest native, Mr. Ronnie Parker whose Life will be Celebrated in Detroit, MI on February 21st. Please keep his family in your prayers.
Our prayers are with the family of Mrs. Bernice Evers whose Life was Celebrated on Valentine’s Day at Sylvester U. M. Church. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Dr. Margaret Ann Wodetski, former Sister Mary Ann, was remembered on Valentine’s Day at St. Richard’s Catholic Church in Jackson. Dr. Wodetski dedicated 29 years to the Jackson State University family as Chemistry Professor and was active in many civic, charitable and humanitarian entities. After the Funeral Mass, a Memorial Program took place at Char’s, where Constance Slaughter-Harvey reminisced about her friend of more than thirty years. Legacy Change Agent Deacon Andrew Crudup was also in attendance. Dr. Wodetski and her late husband, Dean Richard Johnson, were among the original Legacy Change Agents. Please keep her family in your prayers.
Please continue to be with our readers who are facing health challenges, namely, Vernal Williams Breashears, Joe Tucker, Dr. Sheldon Graves, Kathy Hollingsworth, Gwendolyn Harvey Kelley, Dorothy Pinkston, Clarice Slaughter Bell, R. C. Williams, Jo Taylor, Howard Burkes, Robert Jennings, Connie Sorey, LaToya, Que, and LaTasha McClendon, Bobby Carter, Linnie K. Lofton, Ruby Warnsley, Iris O’Neal Warnsley, Shelley Joseph, Vera Patrick, C. J. Polk, McArthur Robinson, Irene Lyles, Nancy Myers, Eleanor Longmire, Cathia Coleman, Connie Parker, Jordan Crump, Mary Bobbitt, Rev. Floyd McConnell, Thomas Anderson, Cliff Qualls, Jr., Virginia Hannah, Lavell Stewart, Ledora Benton, Rev. Henry Patrick, Lucy V. Moore, Sidney Ellis, Anderson “Yellow” Stingley, Dorothy Mae Patrick Tigar, London Thompson, Melba Dixon, Mitch Nichols, Lucille Flex, Laura Jackson, Roseann Lynn, Eunice Slaughter, Viola Morgan, Lillian Gray, Jean Bates, Tomi Reed Smith, Tommy Rankin, John Norman, Juanita Jones, Vernette Owens, Diane Williams, Dashell Earnest, Sherry Holmes, Will Hughes, Billy Jack Evans, Wells Gray, Otha Herrington, Robert Loper, Ester Perry, Annie Curry, Ken Ormond, Eileen, Annie, Elijah, and Symone Ickom, Charity Robinson, Linda Martin Solomon, Ruthie Lay, Clark Jackson, George Tucker, Thorton Gray, Bobby Hodges, Wayne Lindsey, Patsy Bradford, Marie Graham, Rita Wash, Willie Wash, Margaret Bates, Lillie Mae Rodriguez Stewart, Cordell Hughes, Clyde Curry, Bobby Joe Spivey, Al and Lesa Bergin, and Rev. Walter Roberts, Jr.
Congratulations to Anna Grace Reed who was named to the Mississippi State Fall 2025 President’s List. She received this honor because she achieved a 3.80 or better GPA, based on a 4.0 scale, while completing at least 12 semester hours of coursework with no incomplete grades or grades lower than a C. Anna Grace continues to volunteer at Legacy as she has for the past three years. Her parents are Rev. Larry and Mrs. Abagail Reed, Sr. of Newton. Thanks Anna Grace for continuing to stay the course. Way to go!!!
“February Baby” Carolyn Macon was the hostess of the MHV Cluster Club February meeting on February 12th at the MSU Scott County Extension Center. The ladies discussed the year’s calendar of events and other business matters. The MHV Fashion Revenue will be held on February 24th at 1:30. Several Cluster Club ladies will participate. President Macon served a delicious meal, and the food was blessed by Louella McConnell. Other ladies in attendance were Dorothy Strong, Connie Wash, Dessaree Bradford, Mary Lofton and Cynthia Slaughter Melton. The meeting ended with Tributes to Founding Members of the 2008 Club. One of the founding members, the late Winnie Eva Anderson Bobbitt, was eulogized on February 7th. Other members were also recognized as founders and they included Tressie Ware, Margaret Bates, Connie Steward, Birdie Evans, Dessaree Bradford, Eula Hunter, Ruby Odom, Ester Perry, Fannie Bradford, Annie Stewart, Carolyn Macon, Dorothy Strong, Bobbie Carter, Vinnie Lyles, Clara Holifield, Joyce Hughes, and Lorraine Handford. During the Tribute, members viewed a Scrapbook of 2008 Memories which was shared by Dessaree Bradford.
We hope our readers enjoyed the Valentine Love (giving and receiving) and thank all who sent LOVE our way! Legacy Change Agents shared love with First Responders at the Forest Police Department, Scott County Sheriff’s Office, Forest Fire Department, Medical Arts Complex, as well as providers and patients at Fresenius Medical Care and Apex, and youth at Morton Community Center.
Residents at Bedford in Newton have requested Legacy Change Agents to return and share stories and experiences with them. Special thanks to Activities Director Jennifer Maxwell for forwarding that request to us.
Please mark your calendars to attend the Black History Program at Bettye Mae Jack Middle School at 9:00 a.m. on February 19th. The theme is “Dream Forward – Be the Change That Turns Present Aspirations into Future Legacies.” Thanks to Mrs. Angel Myers for the invitation.
Our readers are invited to East Central’s Black History Month Program “A Century of Legacy – Honoring 100 Years of Black History, Faith and Progress. The program is February 22nd at 4:00 p.m. in the Vickers Fine Arts Auditorium. The guest speaker is Pastor Marcus Mann. Thanks to LaVar Robinson, ECCC’s Gospel Choir Sponsor.
Attorney Teselyn Melton Funches celebrated an early birthday with co-workers at the Iron Horse Restaurant in Jackson on February 4th. She was also showered with gifts from family and friends on her February 12th birthday. She thanks all for their kindness.
Happy Birthday Greetings to February babies born during the fourth week in February, namely, Latrevius Pinkston, Garnetta Harrison and Chase Norman (21), Aseanti Palm (22), Renee Reyes (24), Zakiya Nicks, Gary Butler, and Joyce Wiedman (25), Joetta Sanders and Mariah Butler (26), Martavious Odom, Luchiano Campuzano, Jadarius McClendon (27) and Andrew Murrell, Ollie Darby, Betty Jones, Brian Kimble, Alexus Rasco, and Violetta Davis (28).
Answer to 2026 Black History Quiz Teaser #871: Major Robert H. Lawrence, a member of the third group of aerospace research pilots for the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL), was the first African American to be selected as an astronaut by any national space program. He was born in Chicago in 1935, graduated from high school at 16, earned his chemistry degree at 20, and became an Air Force officer and pilot. He earned his PhD in Physical Chemistry from Ohio State University in 1965. Upon completion of the US Air Force Test Pilot in June 1967, he was immediately assigned to the MOL. While serving as an instructor for another pilot practicing landing technique later used in the Space Shuttle program, Lawrence perished in a crash of an F-104 Starfighter supersonic jet on December 8, 1967, at Edwards Air Force Base, CA. All his MOL astronauts’ classmates were transferred to NASA and flew on the Space Shuttle in the 1980’s. In September 1997, the crew of Space Shuttle Atlantis carried his MOL “mission patch” into orbit during the STS-86 mission. His name was engraved in the Astronauts Memorial Foundation Space Mirror at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, which honors astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice for their space program. On the 50th anniversary of his death, he was honored by NASA leaders in a special ceremony. Dr. Deborah McGee Matthews provided the correct response.
2026 Black History Quiz Teaser #872: Which native Mississippian recently had documents sent to Rome concerning her sainthood?
